Nonprofit Overview

Mission: The mission of iEARN-USA is to empower young people, their schools and their communities through global collaboration and transformative learning.

Target demographics: Educators and Students

Geographic areas served: 140 countries

Programs: iEARN-USA provides professional development to help teachers integrate global project-based learning into educational standards around the world, including the U.N.’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Through online, global, classroom-to-classroom, project-based collaboration, students engage in direct learning experiences with peers globally through technology-assisted interaction, thereby going beyond learning about the world, to learning with others around the world. Students gain global competence in international project-based learning so that as adults they will realize that to deal with the world’s issues, they must be able to work together globally.
In addition to online-focused activities, iEARN-USA facilitates and manages a number of physical exchanges for high school students, including the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) and the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program.
NSLI-Y provides merit-based scholarships for U.S. high school students to learn critical languages in summer and academic-year overseas immersion programs. YES provides scholarships for secondary school students from countries with significant Muslim populations to spend one academic year in the U.S.

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This experience was a dream for me . I have never ever thought that one day i will travel to the USA and alone ! Especially that its a pretty long distance for a person living in Egypt. first of all the moment you arrive it is required from you to be totally independent ,as you have a certain amount of money so, you will start making plans on how to save this money till the last moment and plenty other things you need to be independent to pass through. Talking about the event and what we did there we have to start by asking who did i met ??? what kind of people stayed with?? where did i stay??? Well, we were staying at at college were most of the students from places all over the world(India, Australia,Palestine,Egypt etc........) stayed in the same building . Each student had a roommate which is someone from an another country . This was insane!!!!!!! Now we can turn to our schedule there , each day at the morning after the breakfast we usually go to a high school , there we start to attend workshops for other students discussing the topics of our projects that we were working on &sharing our ideas together of how to reach the 17 sustainable goals by 2030 or workshops for teachers themselves. My favorites were the ones talking about refugees and girl raising . On the third day we went to Washington D.C.Despite the long walk we had and our legs which was about to scream thanks to this young lady with the red dress i never forgot that day was 100% of pure fun . It was fantastic visiting places showing thing about the world war 2 and Abraham Lincoln,s statue . Nothing was more beautiful that the white house . The culture day , at that day each group of students from the same country were asked to present a short play , song etc....... explaining there culture . Georgia , Indian & Japan had perfect performances i was watching with wide eyes ! Uhhhhhh here comes the last day i didn't want to go home ever , I loved my friends there we were used each night to get snacks and either play a movie or dace and listen to music . As a finale, the organization there made us a party in a church which was called the gala day each girl wore the elegant dress and each boy wore a suit to appear so handsome . the party was about having a dinner together while listening to music and it was okay to feel free and dance . After spending thus 10 days experience i can admit that i changed in communication skills , presentation skills , being more mature and having the desire to complete the path and explore more countries. Moreover, i had an enormous amount of information and knowledge. what ?!! All this in 10 days only ??!!!! You must be kidding , don't exaggerate. I am not exaggerating at all , you have to try and you will say more that that . Don't miss it !

iEARN excels at bringing global concerns and initiatives into the classroom by linking teachers and students together to share knowledge, experiences and concerns based on the UN SDGs. My students' world has grown and changed because of iEARN and my students feel more empowered to be global citizens. iEARN as truly changed my classroom for both my students and myself!

To start with I'd like to tell some words about me. My name is Liubov Shamova, a teacher from Ukraine. I have been working in IEARN for 17 years, so I can definitely say that the inclusion of projects in the educational process and in non-working activities allowed me to develop children's creativity and opened up the opportunity for students to realize themselves.And every visit to the iEARN conference gives the opportunity to see new creative horizons for both the teachers and students. This year I was eager to visit the iEARN conference in the USA.

What kind of city is Winchester? Who will come to the conference? What kind of workshop is it better to choose? And a lot of other questions are in my mind before the trip. It will be my first visit to the USA and that is more important I will be the participant of so exciting event as celebrating of the 30th anniversary of iEARN.July the 7th I landed in Washington (Dallas).The first day was marked by exciting and memorable meetings at the airport. I was excited and a little worried and suddenly I saw letters iEARN, then the consciousness started to take the positive, cute smiles of Emma and Raviel. Everything started to come alive and in a short time some people from different countries joined our group for a trip to Winchester. All were full of expectations and pleased to get to know each other. Now remembering the events that took place during the conference, I can note that they all were very informative, pushed to reflect and initiated further cooperation.I think that people were the main treasure of the conference – open and friendly, cheerful and very energetic. It was some kind of magical community, where, after a business meeting, you could be in a circle of friends where the atmosphere of cheerful, easy conversation reigned. The staff was on top. I have got a lot of questions about different things, they gave detailed answers. Excellent trip to Washington for an excursion, I can say that we were limited in time but could watch very much.I hesitated, which workshop to choose each one seemed to me very important. My choice was done and I can say it was awesome to listen to the stories about long-term impact of iEARN’s online collaborative projects, how to engage students in sustainable goals, how to boost teachers and students motivation for on line global collaborative project and how to connect the sustainable development goals to global teaching and learning. It was fantastic that most of workshops not only presented their information but involved listeners into discussion or gave them time to share experience. Learning Circles is a project I started my way in iEARN so I was very excited when I had chance to share my experience at the workshop.I enjoyed being at John Handley High School and was impressed by well equipped classes. The highlights of the conference for me it was Culture Night and Closing Ceremony.Culture Night impressed me by number of countries and different cultures.The world lost their borders, different colors mix and people just enjoyed singing or dancing together. I was one of them, was very excited and wish all of them happiness and prosperity. Not less emotional was the Closing Ceremony. Everything was very solemnly and at the same time sincerely. I was very proud that I am a part of this community.

My personal interaction with iEARN-USA was as an NSLI-Y scholarship recipient to China. What stood out the most for me is that this organization is made up of amazing individuals who truly embody the organization's mission and provide the utmost support to make my experience overseas nothing less than exceptional. The iEARN-USA staff made sure that I receive the training necessary to make me a successful exchange student, representing the US, before I even left the U.S. Their organization, with attention to every single complicated detail anticipated when one travels abroad, was such a key backbone support that free me to enjoy and learn the exchange experience itself. Above all, I absolutely adore and treasure the staff with whom I interacted.

SALIHA BELHACENE, a former high school English Teacher, from . Constantine ,Algeria

I started using i-EARN project s since 2015 This cross-cultural project introduces high school students from Mustapha BEN BOULAID high School in Constantine, Algeria to students from USA, for a collaborative international project work. The students prepare the same project in their respective schools and then discuss them online in forums prepared by their teachers to prompt in-depth exchanges about the works’ themes and messages. In addition, students complete posted activities both before and after reading and answering questions, they respond to each others’ reflections about the chosen project “My Identity ,Your Identity “. Live session was organized in real time (An on line conference) was launched and attended by participants: Facilitators, teachers. students on their part, respond to participants questions. For the Algerian students, this was excellent practice for their English and an opportunity to get to know American, Moroccan ,Tunisian Yemenites students ,of their age. It was a chance to interact with a different culture and different backgrounds. Engaging my students to on line conference that assists in developing their strategies as a result ,they found themselves looking beyond the walls of their classroom . My students were so impressed and decided to provide other projects for the future to match other students in other countries.As an educator ,I found “ strengthening partnership in education “ was applied by i-EARN to support students and teachers ,so such partnership using any technological device ,with groups make learning more relevant & authentic ,which in return , resulted in more motivated learners and motivated teachers as well .The benefit of a video conference. -it allows us to engage in communication that promote strengthening relationship -it makes learning real .-it enables collaboration by teachers and students with peers.-it enriches the experience of distance education by reducing feeling of isolation and encouraging interaction -raises students and teachers motivation -it makes technology more accessible and easier to use After attending the international conference and Youth Summit in Marrakech ,Morocco in 2017 ,the experience enhanced me to be more active and more involved, I deduce that it’s so vital to encourage teachers from different parts of the country to join the Bridge Program and to take part in global projects as a part of classroom program ,to share difficult tasks across different educational systems in order to vary educators way of teaching while engaging in real world issues . Conclusion : we found ourselves “learning by doing “. *excited and passionate students working in teams, *greater awareness for global issues , *development of empathy and understanding the perspective of others .* increased confidence and self esteem. Thanks to i-earn , thanks to the Bridge Program launched by Stevens Initiative to offer us such opportunity, thanks to all the participants .

IEARN has changed the way I deliver lessons to my learners. It has amazing pool of learning materials and collaborating projects. In this technological age, distance, boundaries and culture are no longer the factor. Bravo IEARN!!!

As the former Executive Director of the Global Campaign for Education, much of our efforts were to ensure that all girls worldwide had access to a quality education--to attain the 4th Sustainable Development Goal. I decided to bring this issue to iEARN by creating a project called "Girl Rising." It was named after an award-winning documentary about nine girls in nine countries and the obstacles they faced in trying to get an education. In the iEARN projects, students worldwide view the nine movie segments and then discuss the issues raised in them. They research the right to an education in their own country, as well as the actual situation for girls and boys in their country and in other countries worldwide. They then take action locally and globally to help the world meet SDG #4. In Uganda, high school girls went to elementary school classes to talk about the importance of girls' education. In India, students created murals. Video-Conferences enabled students to share what actions they had taken as a result of this project. Students wanted to go further and read books like "I am Malala" on girls' education.

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Since 1988 iEARN pioneered the use of connective technologies to enhance teaching and learning--long before Internet connections became a daily/hourly obsession. The organization had the vision that students will:
1) learn better and be more motivated to learn if they collaborate with peers globally (authentic audience); and
2) become global citizens, aware that they can address global issues by working together.

And even more impressive, iEARN was able to take its innovative and successful pilot project to scale, creating iEARN organizations in over 130 countries and engaging millions of young people and educators in collaborative and multi-lingual project-based learning. Over the past 28 years, approximately 20 million young people and 10s of thousands of teachers have been involved, learning WITH the world and not just ABOUT it.

What has been the key to iEARN's longevity and popularity? In my opinion it's primarily for two reasons: 1) because iEARN is teacher-driven, respecting them as professionals; and 2) all aspects of the organization are mission-driven: improving teaching and learning and making the world a better place through student collaboration.

I first learned about iEARN in 1990. I admired its goal to enhance teaching and learning and to create global citizens by engaging young people in online collaborative educational project work. Over all these years, the organization has kept true to its goals and created a global community of educators and students who interact and collaborate internationally to enable students to both learn their school courses better because they're working with peers, but also to become global citizens.

I wholeheartedly endorse the work that the program and technical staff at iEARN-USA do and encourage others to support the organization.

I started my discovery of learn in2011.It made a difference in my life not only at the personal level but mainly at the professional one.I new friendships that turned to sisters and brothers and relations which I am very proud of.At the professional level, I feel I am learning new techniques and trying to use the latest technologies.In addition, iearn boosted my pupils' motivation and strengthened régir confidence in pratiquent English as well as their openness and tolérance.I owe iearn a lot .

#iEARN is a global organisation which nourish the young minds in such a way that they become responsible citizens. Through iEARN projects, we the educators and our students become the members of international experienced faculty. I really feel that #iEARN is the only organisation which works for the betterment of universe without any personal interest. The NumeroUno #iEARN.

iEARN has had a transformative effect on my teaching and understanding of global education. Attending the 2007 conference in Mubarek City, Egypt, opened my eyes to the impact that this organization has on mutual respect and understanding among teachers and students around the world. Direct teacher-teacher and student-student contact through single-topic projects as well as multi-project Learning Circles deepens trust; students learn through these relationships that perceived barriers and mistrust are just that: perceptions that are radically altered by person-person contact. This is my 11th year with iEARN, and I cannot imagine my 6th grade (11-12 years old) Geography classes without iEARN. I am honored to be trusted with the role of Learning Circles Coordinator and plan to continue to work with iEARN even after I retire from full-time teaching. I have nothing but appreciation for the organization and its talented and devoted staff.

I have been connected with iEARN in many overlapping ways since 1988. This is an amazing organization. For all of these years, it has been helping students, teachers, and educators find ways to heal the planet by developing strong, caring relationships among all of her many people. With the mission of helping everyone feel the power of service learning, we have come together in dozens of countries and participated in the incredible stories of change. We have cheered as students first and second graders saved a pond that is now the center of a community park, as students bought and fixed bicycles for kids without parents to buy them, as students experimented with solar ovens to find the best model to share with families who cook over open fires, as special needs students worked together to solve the problems they identified at their schools, and as we told and heard hundreds of more stories that inspire the soul, and energize the spirit. My own contact has been as friend, project designer, conference participant, engaged educator, and now board member. In each of these roles I have been impressed with the dedication and devotion of all of the people who live the spirit of iEARN. I often describe it as the “united nations of schools” where students are the people who take responsibility for examining and solving the problems that are earth shaking. When we invite the generations of youth to the table, they have power to do what adults often find too complicated and too difficult to achieve. If there is hope to find in the world, it is in the interchanges between the youth of the world who see problems as invitations to innovate, and are willing to face history through facing themselves learning to see their own part in conflict and their own responsibility for conflict resolution. This is an organization that is doing undeniable good in the world and deserves the support and recognition of all of us. All students should have the experience of learning with the world, not just about it!

I am fortunate for having been involved in iEARN for several years, initially as a teacher and now as a project facilitator in both the Bridge Program and Finding Solutions to Hunger. I cannot imagine another organization in which global, student-centered, professional and compassionate teachers work so closely in so many areas of our shared world on behalf of their students. This is iEARN.

Side-by-side with the many other critically valuable skills that all students have the right to develop, those of compassion for others, citizenship in a shared world and integrity of action are part of what iEARN’s teachers offer as they develop their global studies. That is precisely what makes it stand out. It is an organization whose mission is evident in every resource and every collaborative effort made by teacher who have designed the projects and participate in the outreach of its mission. In an online world that often is swarming with too much information, the projects are well-organized and accessible and versatile....qualities of information and protocol that I greatly value in an online world that often is swarming with too much information!

When I think about the meaning of iEARN’s mission and its clarity of purpose in the global world of education, I know that students in all of its projects will have the safety and openness of its forums in which to explore what they have learned as well as all that they might imagine and hope to learn. For them, along with new knowledge, comes outreach and connection leading directly to that.…many ideas, many actions, many gestures of partnership one at a time. This is iEARN. Mary Brownell - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA

iEARN is the largest community of people worldwide who care for one another and who are passionate about their shared view of a more peaceful, safe and growing world. I have been with iEARN for more than 13 years and I feel the dramatic change that is operated among teachers who develop professionally thanks to programs ,such as BRIDGE(Building Respect Through Internet Dialogue and Global Education),thanks to online courses, to shared projects and to new technologies . We ,teachers and youth, worldwide, are tied to strong ,shared values ,that are and will definitely change our planet to the better.We are pioneers in using 21st century technology tools and skills to exchange ,on the spot, on a great variety of topics that bring life to the classroom and the classroom to the community. Improving the environment in our communities, empowering girls with quality education, exchanging ideas, photos, videos about our diverse cultures, history, families daily realities, all this can but foster mutual understanding ,openness, tolerance ,respect of diversity and ultimately can and will help our youth grow to live more peacefully .HELA NAFTI TEARN (iEARN Tunisia)

iEARN is an organization to which every globally-minded educator should belong. This is the best way to connect with teachers around the world, and to enable your students to connect with their peers. There is a steady stream of global projects with a wide range of participation. iEARN offers a lot of support and encouragement, and many opportunities to help your students gain the skills they need to engage with their world on a global level.

iEARN has the merit of bringing all the countries of the world together through very interesting online collaborative projects, videoconferences and face-to-face meetings. Educators and students interact with each other regardless of their race, nationality, or religious beliefs. To me, this approach can only lead to establishing an atmosphere of trust, mutual respect, collaboration, and peace among all iEARNers.

IEARN first step in my life as a teacher since 2003, I had no English but I have many things to do... When I am member ... IEARNer ... I found new gate to push me to the forward to complete my education .. And I am proud to be iEARN trainer and help our youth and teacher ..help my self in my education I have now PH.D. ... Thanks IEARN

My story with iearn is distinguished .I've been with iearn 2000 started as one of the trainees in their workshop then and after WORKING WITH DIFFERENT PROJECT I BECAME THE COUNTRY representative.IEARN is the only safe educational network in the world that include students and educators.iearn is a supportive body for any educator who is willing to make the change.I have to admit that iearn has really changed my life in a positive way.My attitudes and the way I think has changed accordingly.Iearn is the first organization that spread the culture of learning with the world and this not as easy thing.Collaboration means a lot and it has different components.I'm a trainer now in my country and working on evolving all schools in iearn for its best impact on lives.

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I have been working with IEARN since 2000,first as a participant teacher thes as trainer and now as proffissional and coordinator for the country.Commitment towards all the members of iearn family distinguishes iearn US greatly.IEARN US has been the support for students and teachers in palestine for many years.All the staff is cooperative and committed.I always find then when I feel that we are stuck with any obstackle.I have many stories to tell about iearn US and our difficult journey in Palestine.They were there when we were in areal need for their help.Despite our complicated situation they determined to let our students be engaged in the projects through their support and facilitation